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GeoPark announces first quarter 2023 operational update

Oil and Gas 360


Publisher’s Note: GeoPark will be a presenting at EnerCom Dallas on Tuesday April 18, 2023 at 1:10 pm CST at Hotel Crescent Court. Register to attend.

Bogota, Colombia – April 11, 2023 – GeoPark Limited (“GeoPark” or the “Company”) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator, today announces its operational update for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 (“1Q2023”).

GeoPark announces first quarter 2023 operational update- oil and gas 360

All figures are expressed in US Dollars and growth comparisons refer to the same period of the prior year, except when specified.

Oil and Gas Production 

  • Consolidated average oil and gas production down 4% to 36,578 boepd1, below its production potential of approximately 39,500-40,500 boepd, as previously announced on March 8, 2023, mainly due to temporarily shut-in production and localized blockades in the CPO-5 block (GeoPark non-operated, 30% WI) in Colombia
  • Currently producing approximately 38,000 boepd

Llanos Basin
Llanos 34 block (GeoPark operated, 45% WI):

  • Average gross production of 54,799 bopd
  • Four drilling and four workover rigs currently in operation
  • GeoPark drilled its first horizontal development well in the block in the Tigana field
    –    Production tests initiated in late March 2023
    –    The well was drilled within time and budget to a total depth of 13,862 feet and a horizontal lateral length of 1,270 feet
    –    The well is currently producing over 3,000 bopd with 0.01% water cut from the Mirador formation
    –    Based on these results, GeoPark is evaluating drilling additional horizontal wells in 2023

CPO-5 block:

  • Average gross production of 16,707 bopd, below its production potential of approximately 25,000-26,000 bopd gross, due to shut-in production of the Indico 6 and Indico 7 wells and to a lesser extent, localized blockades, as previously announced on March 8, 2023
  • The operator expects to resume production in the Indico 6 and Indico 7 wells in May 2023
    –    These two wells were drilled in late 2022 and together tested over 11,000 bopd gross (or 3,300 bopd net to GeoPark)
    – The two wells remained shut in for most of 1Q20232 after the regulator (ANH) requested the operator suspend production until definitive surface facilities are completed
  • Overall production and operations in the block affected for 9 days in 1Q2023 due to localized blockades
  • Yarico 1 exploration well, targeting an exploration prospect adjacent to the Mariposa field, reached total depth in March 2023
    –    According to petrophysical logging interpretation, the well encountered reservoir in the Guadalupe formation, with no evidence of hydrocarbons and depending on injectivity evaluations, may be converted to a disposal well in the future
  • Drilling activities are expected to continue with the Halcon 1 well, targeting an exploration prospect in the northern part of the block, adjacent to the Llanos 34 block, expected to be spudded in 3Q2023

Llanos 87 block (GeoPark operated, 50% WI):

  • Tororoi 1 exploration well reached total depth in December 2022
    –    Production tests in the Mirador formation started in March 2023 and the well is currently producing 240 bopd of light oil with a 1% water cut
  • Zorzal 1 exploration well reached total depth in February 2023
    –    Preliminary logging information indicates hydrocarbons in the Barco formation
    –    Initial production tests flowed light oil from the Barco formation
    –    Results so far are inconclusive, additional production tests are expected to continue in the next few weeks
  • Picabuey 1 and Koala 1 exploration wells reached total depth in 1Q2023
    –    The wells encountered reservoirs in the Barco and Ubaque formations with no evidence of hydrocarbons and the wells were abandoned

Llanos 123 and Llanos 124 blocks (GeoPark operated, 50% WI):

  • Civil works and other activities currently underway in order to spud 2-3 exploration wells in 2Q2023

Putumayo Basin 

Platanillo block (GeoPark operated, 100% WI):

  • Platanillo Norte 1 development well reached total depth in February 2023
    –    Preliminary logging information indicated hydrocarbons in the U and N formations
    –    Production tests in the U formation started in February 2023, currently producing 400 bopd
  • Average gross production of 2,277 bopd

Put-8 block (GeoPark operated, 50% WI):

  • Currently working on environmental licensing for the Bienparado exploration prospect

Enhanced ESG Performance and Recognition 

  • 2022 emissions intensity decreased by 34% to 12.1 kg CO2e/boe3 (or a 40% decrease to 9.7 kg CO2e/boe in core Llanos 34 block) due to the interconnection of the Llanos 34 block to Colombia’s national power grid and the start of operations of the solar plant
  • Launched a biodiversity data management training program for local companies in Colombia to provide valuable inputs for flora and fauna restoration and preservation
  • Multi-year improvement on key safety indicators: Lost Time Injury Rate, Total Recordable Injury Rate, and Motor Vehicle Crash Rate decreased by an average of 50% in the past four years

Delivering on Shareholder Returns and Strengthening the Balance Sheet  

  • Quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, or $7.5 million, paid on March 31, 2023 (or an annualized dividend of approximately $30 million, a 4.4% dividend yield4)
  • Acquired 0.6 million shares (over 1% of shares outstanding) for $7.5 million in 1Q2023
  • Cash-in-hand of $145 million5 as of March 31, 2023 ($129 million as of December 31, 2022)

2023 Work Program: Growing Production, Drilling More Wells and Giving Back to Shareholders   

  • 2023 production guidance of 39,500-41,500 boepd (assuming no production from the exploration drilling program)
  • Self-funded 2023 capital expenditures program of $200-220 million to drill 50-55 gross wells (including 10-15 low-risk high-potential exploration and appraisal wells)
  • At $80-90 per bbl Brent, GeoPark expects to generate an Adjusted EBITDA of $510-580 million and a free cash flow of $120-140 million6
  • Targeting to return approximately 40-50% of free cash flow after taxes to shareholders

Upcoming Catalysts 

  • Drilling 10-12 gross wells in 2Q2023, targeting development and exploration projects in the Llanos basin in Colombia
  • Exploration drilling includes 2-3 new gross wells in the Llanos basin (Llanos 123 and Llanos 124 blocks)

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